At 03:49 PM 5/2/2010, John wrote:
I have owned the FT-847 for five years and tried the TS2000 extensively. Both are excellent rigs. The only downside I see with the TS2000 is the birdie. However, it has a more sensitive and quieter receiver, has an antenna tuner and dual receive. On the other hand, the FT847 is probably the most used and reliable sat radio, from my observations working other people on the sats. Probably because it came out first and can be bought a little cheaper, now. If I was starting over and had to choose, it would be REALLY tough to choose between them. I probably would go with the TS2000 because it is a little more refined, quieter, and has a few more features. But the FT847 is solid, I love the rig, and you would have to pry it out of my cold dead hands. You can't go wrong either way. The FT847 is great IF you get a newer one in really good condition. Some of the early runs had some problems. The TS2000 wins on bells and whistles. Man.I'm no help at all!
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Just to stir the mud a little: I decided to keep my FT-847 for satellite operation and casual FM/SSB. Instead of the TS2000x I bought a Elecraft K3/10 (10w version) and am adding the new design DEMI 28/144 xvtr (ordered to arrive in June). Eventually sw will be developed for the K3 for doing cross-band full-duplex and then I might part with the grand ole FT-847 (circa 1998). I will have to add a DEMI 28/432 xvtr for that.
But in my opinion K3 (dual Rx) + DEMI is far above the TS2000x for near the same money.
73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45 ====================================== BP40IQ 500 KHz - 10-GHz www.kl7uw.com EME: 144-600w, 432-100w, 1296-60w, 3400-fall 2010 DUBUS Magazine USA Rep dubususa@hotmail.com ======================================